Names of alleged Etosha poachers killed in shoot-out made public
The names of the three alleged poachers who were shot dead in the Etosha National Park have been revealed.
They are Namibians Elifas Shali Kapembe (24), Nicky Nandiinotya Andreas (33) and Immanuel Petrus (23).
According to the Namibian Police, their next of kin have been informed.
The deadly gunfight occurred last Saturday during a skirmish between the three armed and suspected poachers and members of the anti-poaching unit in Etosha.
According to the police, members of the anti-poaching operation in Etosha noticed footprints inside the park near the fence during a patrol on Friday.
On Saturday, 16 November, the members were divided into two teams to track the footprints of the alleged poachers.
"When the alleged poachers realised they were being pursued, they opened fire on the members of the anti-poaching unit, leading to a shootout," the police said.
As a result, the three men died during the shoot-out.
"When the scene was visited, it was established that the poachers were armed with three rifles, one of which was fitted with a silencer. Additionally, they wore sponges on their shoes to obstruct tracking," the police statement noted.
No members of the anti-poaching unit were injured during the incident.
Rhino poaching numbers
The bodies of the men were taken to the Oshakati police mortuary, and relatives were requested to identify the deceased.
The flagship park is a hotspot for rhino poaching, with a total of 39 black rhinos and 11 white rhinos poached in Etosha this year.
According to environment ministry spokesperson Romeo Muyunda, 76 rhinos have been poached for their horns nationwide so far this year.
This is the second time in six months that alleged poachers have been shot dead in the park.
They are Namibians Elifas Shali Kapembe (24), Nicky Nandiinotya Andreas (33) and Immanuel Petrus (23).
According to the Namibian Police, their next of kin have been informed.
The deadly gunfight occurred last Saturday during a skirmish between the three armed and suspected poachers and members of the anti-poaching unit in Etosha.
According to the police, members of the anti-poaching operation in Etosha noticed footprints inside the park near the fence during a patrol on Friday.
On Saturday, 16 November, the members were divided into two teams to track the footprints of the alleged poachers.
"When the alleged poachers realised they were being pursued, they opened fire on the members of the anti-poaching unit, leading to a shootout," the police said.
As a result, the three men died during the shoot-out.
"When the scene was visited, it was established that the poachers were armed with three rifles, one of which was fitted with a silencer. Additionally, they wore sponges on their shoes to obstruct tracking," the police statement noted.
No members of the anti-poaching unit were injured during the incident.
Rhino poaching numbers
The bodies of the men were taken to the Oshakati police mortuary, and relatives were requested to identify the deceased.
The flagship park is a hotspot for rhino poaching, with a total of 39 black rhinos and 11 white rhinos poached in Etosha this year.
According to environment ministry spokesperson Romeo Muyunda, 76 rhinos have been poached for their horns nationwide so far this year.
This is the second time in six months that alleged poachers have been shot dead in the park.
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